FSMA Is the Floor, Not the Ceiling

For many food suppliers, FSMA 204 compliance has been the dominant traceability conversation over the past few years. But what happens when your trading partners start expecting more than the rulebook requires? That is exactly where the industry is headed.

Large buyers, especially retailers and foodservice providers, are no longer waiting for regulatory deadlines to set their traceability standards. Companies like Walmart, Kroger, and others are already enforcing traceability protocols internally. They are asking suppliers for lot-level documentation, shipment visibility, and data access that go well beyond minimum FSMA 204 requirements.

Jason Varni, Sr. Solutions Director at iTradeNetwork, explained it clearly: "We know FSMA 204 has been delayed, but many buyers are acting as if it's already live. Suppliers who treat traceability as a checkbox may find themselves losing favor with their biggest accounts."

Why Buyers Are Moving Faster Than Regulators

Retailers have a brand to protect. When a food safety issue occurs, they are the ones who face the headlines, the consumer questions, and the reputational risk. As a result, many are implementing internal traceability programs that include specific case labeling requirements, digital KDE access, and audit-ready systems.

This shift is not just about compliance. It is about brand protection, customer trust, and supply chain performance. Buyers are increasingly looking for suppliers who can deliver data along with the product.

Traceability Expectations in the Real World

Suppliers are seeing increased pressure from buyers to:

• Provide PTI-compliant case labels
• Deliver digital records with each shipment
• Capture traceability data at every event from harvest to delivery
• Maintain system access for buyer audits and recalls

In many cases, these expectations are already written into contracts or vendor scorecards. Falling short does not only risk non-compliance, but it can affect business continuity.

Why Traditional Tools Are Not Enough

Many suppliers still rely on legacy ERP systems, manual logs, or standalone label printers to manage traceability. These tools may help generate labels or store data locally, but they often fail to meet the speed and consistency buyers now require.

Jason Varni added, "Suppliers need systems that can grow with buyer expectations. It's not about doing the minimum anymore. It's about being ready to support real-time traceability across every order and every shipment."

Preparing for the Buyer-Driven Standard

To stay ahead of evolving buyer expectations, suppliers need traceability systems that:

• Generate PTI-compliant labels and track events in real time
• Consolidate data across production, shipping, and delivery
• Provide fast, reliable access to audit records
• Scale across growers, products, and packing locations

Platforms like iTradeNetwork’s traceability suite are designed to meet both regulatory and buyer-driven standards. They capture FSMA-required KDEs and support the level of visibility and speed buyers now demand.

Conclusion: Lead with Transparency

Traceability is no longer just about meeting federal requirements. It is about earning and maintaining the trust of your trading partners. As retailers set higher standards, suppliers who adopt more flexible, integrated traceability systems will be in the best position to grow.

FSMA 204 may be the regulatory baseline, but your buyers are already setting the next standard. Are you ready to meet it?